Independent participatory media for Iran

One hundred Iranian MPs have signed a motion to question Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Parliament about a series of administrative irregularities.

The motion, which was submitted to Parliament’s presiding board yesterday, lists the topics that require clarification by the president: his delay in nominating a Minister of Sports and Youth, the delays in forwarding funds for Tehran subway system, and the administration’s failure to implement ratified cultural legislation.

The president is required to appear before Parliament and respond to questions if at least one quarter of MPs sign a motion, according to the Islamic Republic Constitution.

If Ahmadinejad’s representatives do not succeed in convincing MPs to withdraw their motion, he will be obligated to appear within a month to respond to their inquiries.

Ali Motahari, a Tehran MP and Ahmadinejad critic, said the aim of the motion is to “clarify certain ambiguities.” He called it a mark of “democratic stability in Iran and the strength of the foundations of the Islamic Republic regime.”

Ahmadinejad has faced strong resistance from the establishment’s conservative elite since his dispute with the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei over the dismissal of his Minister of Intelligence. Ayatollah Khamenei reappointed Heydar Moslehi to the post a few hours after Ahmadinejad had accepted the minister’s resignation.

Ahmadinejad shunned public duties for over 10 days, triggering a wave of criticism from senior conservative clerics and political figures. Ahmadinejad’s relationship with Parliament has been especially adversarial since this episode.